Combating Disruptive Behaviors: Strategies to Promote a Healthy Work Environment

Disruptive behaviors among healthcare workers threaten the safety and well being of both patients and staff. The Joint Commission now charges healthcare organizations seeking accreditation to address these behaviors. All members of the healthcare team need to be knowledgeable about disruptive behaviors. In this article the author reviews the causes and consequences of disruptive behavior for both patients and healthcare workers, discusses initiatives for addressing disruptive behaviors, and provides specific steps for nurse managers and staff nurses to combat disruptive behaviors.